Owen Smith says Labour should unite to fight the Conservatives

Former Labour leadership contender Owen Smith has urged the party to unite to fight the Conservatives - but is still refusing to join the shadow cabinet.
He said he had not spoken to Jeremy Corbyn since their bitter leadership contest, but had exchanged one text.
There are "lots of people" who could help form a frontbench team, he said.
He also dismissed PM Theresa May's "nasty party" jibe about Labour, calling her pitch for the centre ground of politics "synthetic".
Politics live: Rolling updates on the latest developments He said Mrs May had used her end of... read more

Related news

There is "room to manoeuvre" on the key issue of free movement when the UK leaves the European Union, Labour's shadow foreign secretary has insisted.
EU leaders have said free movement must be accepted if the UK is to retain full membership...

Welsh Labour MP Owen Smith has told a political magazine it would be an "incredible honour and privilege" to lead his party in the future.
But the shadow work and pensions secretary said there was no vacancy at the top and Jeremy Corbyn...

The GMB union has backed Owen Smith to become Labour leader, after balloting its membership.
Mr Smith, who is challenging incumbent Jeremy Corbyn for the job, was endorsed by 60% of union members who took part, while Mr Corbyn received 40% support....

Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith says he would consider applying to rejoin the EU if he became prime minister when the UK had already left.
Mr Smith said he could support the move if the UK was in recession or the NHS was "on its...

Owen Smith has vowed to rewrite part of Labour's constitution to put tackling inequality at its heart, as he launched his bid to be party leader.
He said Labour must strive to reduce the gap between "haves and have-nots", with all policies...

Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith has accused Jeremy Corbyn of being "delusional" about the party's prospects of power under his tenure.
Mr Smith told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg Labour would be "decimated" if there was an...